I'm gratified by the response the first chapter got, but I will have to admit, after writing things out, I'm not sure this one has the promise it originally seemed to. The events of this chapter in particular are part of the problem. And I'm not sure I can work around them.

But I'll give it a shot regardless, and I have other ideas to work on. So, here you go. Enjoy...

PER ARDUA AD ASTRA

CHAPTER 2:

REJECTION

Well, what a curious state of being, to have the memories of two lives. Ranni, daughter of Radagon and Rennala, step-daughter of Queen Marika, ex-Empyrean. And Hermione Granger, Muggleborn witch, daughter of a pair of dentists with upwardly mobile pretensions, and who cared more about their daughter as a trophy than as a child.

Despite the fact that she had lived centuries, nay, millennia as Ranni, and little over a decade as Hermione, she felt comfortable answering to both names. She was simply both, and any identity crisis was not much of a threat, at least for now. Honestly, there were far weightier matters to fret about.

The first was that she had no idea how long she had been absent from the Lands Between. It had to be centuries at the bare minimum. The Glintstone growing around her rise would have taken that much to grow as large as they did, and even then, some could have been harvested for materials, by the more bold sorcerers of the Caria Manor. And Seluvis, perhaps. She frowned when she considered the sorcerer she was forced to ally herself with. Was it his treachery that meant her soul was not bound to the doll modelled on her mentor?

The second was related to the first, and perhaps more vital. What had happened to the Lands Between in her absence? Ranni was under no illusion where that was cocnerned, that Marika's plans would inevitably lead to war. But Marika had hoped that one of the demigods would prevail, and seek to overthrow the Greater Will, in exchange for a better Golden Order. A risky plan, and if that failed, then Marika would recall the Tarnished, those exiles that included the first Elden Lord, Godfrey, formerly the warrior Horah Loux.

War must have devastated the Lands Between. But how badly? Ugh, this would be easier to handle if she was in that doll body. Her emotions would be blunted, with her soul attached to that doll. More objective. More clinical. Something that was needed for the path she trod.

The third thing she needed to know was more personal. Namely, her family, or at least that she still cared for. Her mother, Rennala, had an already precarious mental state due to Radagon's abandonment. And then, there was Melina, whose body would have been destroyed by the backlash of their plan. And despite her anger with him hobbling her plans, Ranni did feel some fondness for Radahn, to say nothing of Malenia and Miquella.

And, of course, there was Harry. Her first true friend in her life as Hermione, reminding her so much of Rudiobus(1). But without that link to the Flame of Frenzy, the one that had Godwyn target him for death. He must be so lost, unable to comprehend what she was now. What would he think of her, of her past, of her goals? That needed careful handling, but she wasn't sure how.

And then, there was being able to head back to Britain. That was of a low priority to her specifically: she had forgotten more in her life as Ranni than she would ever learn at Hogwarts as Hermione. But what of Harry? He was thrown into a new world, and the ritual was meant to find the place in her dreams, tapping into her soul as Ranni. She wasn't sure if she could send him back, but better that he be home than amongst the intrigues and dangers of the Lands Between. Besides, Voldemort was still very much a threat. And she knew Harry. He was quixotic and self-sacrificing and moralistic.

She entered her workshop, and halted, looking at the figure perched on the chair. On a small pile of books, she knew. A great wave of nostalgia washed over her, at the sight of the doll modelled on her old mentor, Renna the Snow Witch. Shabby robes that nonetheless looked regal. A massive wide-brimmed hat with a point, like some stereotypical fairytale witch. The four arms, folded in the lap, blue-skinned. And the face, one eye closed, the other staring lifelessly, a pale blue, the elfin features looking young and yet ancient.

Hermione touched the cheek of her doll, while using magic to try and analyse it. No traps that she could see. Nothing that suggested that Seluvis actively prevented her soul from binding to it.

Unbidden, Blaidd said, "I came here often, to see if you had awoken in that body. Too many times, over the years. After a time, it became mere habit, for I had all but forsaken hope that you would return to us, with only our bond telling me that your soul still existed. Forgive my lack of faith, Lady Ranni."

Hermione sighed. "There's nothing to forgive, Blaidd," she said, turning to face him. "Your fealty to me is unshakeable, but I understand losing hope. For me, it has been but fourteen years. But for you, it has been…how long?"

"I know not, Lady Ranni, only that it has been at least a millennium since the Shattering. And I fear there is more that will distress you. This lad, you trust him?"

"He is second only to you and Iiji, Blaidd, but only because I had known both of you for longer," Hermione said, gently shifting the doll that was to be her body off the chair, before sitting in its place, the doll sitting on the floor next to her. She also cleared the books off her chair first: she didn't think Harry would appreciate her talking down to him in a more literal way than usual. "I trust him with my life, as he has saved me on a number of occasions."

"I see…"

Harry was lost. Completely lost. Hermione began acting like…well, not quite a different person, but certainly different to how Hermione usually acted. Not completely different: the hug she gave him and Blaidd was very Hermione-like, and the strident and bossy manner was still there, just more…refined. Regal. But she was answering to the name of Ranni, and seemed to know Blaidd.

"In any case, we'd best stop confusing Harry," Hermione was saying, before she turned back to him. "Harry, you have heard of the concept of reincarnation?"

Harry nodded. Of course he had. "So, you're saying you're a reincarnation of this Ranni person?"

"Indeed." She was steepling her hands as she began. "We are on another world, one distinctive to the Earth you know. One akin to worlds in fantasy novels, where magic is prevalent. Technology exists to a degree, but is mostly at a medieval or Victorian level. Unless many advances have been made in my absence, Blaidd?"

"Save for new means to kill each other, not really," Blaidd said. "Innovation was never that great a priority before the Shattering, but it has mostly ground to a halt now. No doubt as much a result of the Greater Will as much as it is the demigods squabbling over the pieces of the Elden Ring."

At this, Hermione grimaced, before returning her gaze to Harry. "So, where to begin? In this life, I was born the child of Rennala, Queen of the Full Moon, and ruler of these lands, Liurna of the Lakes, and Radagon, later the second Elden Lord…after he abandoned my mother, for Queen Marika, the ruler of these lands. Through my veins ran divine blood, even before I was adopted as a stepdaughter by Marika."

"Are you saying you're a god?" Harry asked.

"In a manner, though it is more correct to say I am a demigod. I was immortal, barring malice, though many in the Lands Between could claim the same, after Marika sealed away the Rune of Death. I was even chosen as a successor to Marika, one of three, the other two being my siblings, the twin prodigies Malenia and Miquella, though those names would mean little to you. But I detested the path set out for me, for we were but mere puppets, dangling on the strings of the Greater Will, manipulated by their viceroys, the Two Fingers."

"…Two Fingers?" Harry said, bemused.

Blaidd coughed quietly. "Beings linked to the Greater Will. They vaguely resemble a pair of hairy fingers attached to part of the palm of a hand. This is just the name given to them, we don't know what they actually call themselves. The Greater Will is an Outer God, one of many. These Outer Gods are probably closer to what you'd think of as a deity, whereas most gods here are considerably more material beings. The Two Fingers are shoved rather far up whatever passes for the arse of the Greater Will."

Hermione actually laughed at that. "My, Blaidd, how puerile your mind has become in my absence. I do hope Iiji hasn't succumbed." But then, she became subdued, turning her attention back to Harry. "I desired to be free of the path my puppetmasters would lay out before me. And then, Godwyn the Golden, my elder brother, supposedly the most beloved of the demigods, did much to hurt me. He slew a good friend of mine, for he had been one of those unfortunate enough to be afflicted with the Flame of Frenzy, the taint of another Outer God. But Rudiobus was inoffensive, a most learned young man despite his station, and kind to animals and spirits. And he spoke to not only myself, but Queen Marika of many things that would be considered heretical, had Marika and I not been thinking along similar lines. Godwyn's slaying of him was a warning from the Two Fingers, and thus the Greater Will. Insolence and disobedience would not be tolerated."

"…He was murdered because of that? Just to give you a warning?" Harry asked, horrified.

"Too many have been slain for less, lad," Blaidd said.

"Indeed," Ranni said with a nod. "So, instead of being cowed, Marika and I conspired. I would steal part of the Rune of Death she had sealed away in the flesh of her own Shadow, Maliketh, and use it to fashion knives with the different aspects of the Rune of Death in each blade. I would slay my own Empyrean flesh, leaving my soul free of its destiny, albeit bound to this doll you see here. Marika would slay Godwyn, as a message to the Greater Will, before shattering the Elden Ring, the source of power and law in this world, and ensure a worthy successor would come."

Harry stared at her in horror when her words sunk in. She'd been complicit in the death of her own brother, willing to bind her soul to a doll, in the same way Voldemort had bound a living memory to a diary, or himself to Quirrel? Even if Godwyn had murdered that friend of hers, did he know whether Ranni or Blaidd or Rudiobus were good people?

He hadn't known Hermione well at all. Not when she had this lurking inside her. And now, thanks to her, he was stranded, far away from home.

His mental state, already shaky after dealing with the Dementors for the past several months, to say nothing of learning of Sirius' apparent betrayal and Pettigrew's actual betrayal, simply couldn't allow for any more shocks. So, in a vicious tone, he said, "And what, you think yourself worthy?" As she opened her mouth to reply, he snapped, "After helping murder your brother? After planning to bind your soul to that doll? How very like Voldemort of you, Hermione."

Her eyes widened in shock. "Hey, steady on, Harry," Blaidd said. "Ranni may have been ruthless, and many would consider her path a dark one, but you know little of what you're saying."

"I've heard enough," Harry said. "I've been taken from my home by someone I thought was a good friend, and the Hermione I knew wouldn't be complicit in cold-blooded murder! Not like that! And not dabbling in dark magic like I've had to deal with before! I'm done, I'm finding my own way back home!"

As he turned to leave, he felt Blaidd's gauntleted hand grab his shoulder. "You've got it wrong, and if I were you, I would apologise to her," the wolfman snarled. "I understand that you're upset, lad, but you don't know anything about her, so don't go storming off in a huff."

"Or what are you going to do to me? Lock me up?"

"If I have to, to make you see reason, then yes."

That was the last straw. Harry used an Expelliarmus on the wolfman, sending him crashing into Hermione…no, Ranni's chair. He quickly followed it up with Body-Binds on both of them, before he fled. He didn't want to hear anything more from them. He fled from the tower, ensuring he ran well away from the dragon, which was stalking around elsewhere. He needed to get somewhere, anywhere, that wasn't here. Somewhere where he could find help, to get back home.

If he had been thinking straight, he might not have done so. But as mentioned before, his mental health had suffered over the past year. A seeming betrayal from one he considered a good friend was simply the last straw.

He realised, though, that he had come to run towards a graveyard. And to his horror, a bunch of rotting corpses were forcing their way out of the ground. A spine-chilling howl filled the air, and not only were these zombies surrounding him, but so were wolves.

He was about to try and fight them off so he could retreat, when a voice from behind him yelled, "Get down!"

Harry flung himself to the ground on instinct, only to witness a shape leap overhead. Like a horse, but with horns. Two of the wolves were trampled instantly, while someone leapt from the horse-like animal, said animal dissolving into a flurry of azure particles. The shape wore a hooded cloak, and darted amongst the wolves and the zombies, wielding a dagger with a long blade, that glowed with golden light.

Harry stared at the figure, entranced. The slaughter was like an elegant dance. And soon, that was ended. The figure turned to him. Harry realised with a start that it seemed to be a woman. "It was folly to rush blindly into the unknown, traveller." Her voice was a gentle rasp, not quite like Ranni's, but softer in tone, even as she sheathed the dagger and helped him up. "Even to one who is like a newborn babe to these lands, that was sheer folly. It was fortunate, then, that I witnessed your flight from Ranni's Rise, and followed you."

"Followed me? Are you one of her lot?" Harry demanded.

"It depends on what you mean. I was her sister. But my purpose is not my own, not Ranni's."

"…I didn't see you watching, so how do you know of her?" Harry asked suspiciously.

The woman gave a smile from beneath her hood, before dissolving in the same flurry of light her steed had. She reformed a little way away, near something Harry hadn't noticed earlier: a shard of golden light, hovering above the ground. "…I suppose you could call me a ghost, a wandering spirit, albeit one able to take physical form for a time. Please, this way. This shard of Lost Grace has a protective effect against those who would do you harm. And I can assure you, I am not one of them, no matter what you may think of Ranni."

"And why should I trust someone who hides their own face?" Harry said.

"…Ah, forgive me." She pushed back the hood of her cloak, revealing a rather lovely face, framed by short, auburn hair. But a strange mark lay across her left eye, which was also shut.

"I am Melina," she said. "And I fear that you have made a grave mistake…"

CHAPTER 2 ANNOTATIONS:

Oh dear. Harry's had a fit of paranoia that Mad-Eye Moody would be proud of, but honestly, can you blame him at all? Third Year was one of the worst for his mental health, what with the Dementors, Snape being even more of a dick than usual, learning about Sirius and Wormtail, and now learning what Hermione did as Ranni? It's too much of a shock to the system. Blaidd's well-meaning but tactless warning didn't help matters.

And now, Melina's arrived, albeit making a badass entrance compared to the game. Now, if you're thinking this is out of character, remember, you can summon Melina as an NPC fighter to assist you against Morgott. She's pretty badass when she wants to be. And keep in mind, she is hinted to have been one of the Black Knives, a theory I've run with, and worked to explain why she and Ranni seem to have matching markings over their eyes.

1. Rudiobus is a Celtic god, albeit one of whom little is known. However, horses are sacred to him, and he fits the G, R and M name-theming of many important characters in Elden Ring.